Trees come in all shapes and sizes, and many have unique and interesting bark or trunks. If you’re looking for a tree that has a trunk with colorful, patchwork bark, there are a few likely options.
Rainbow Eucalyptus
One of the most colorful trees is the rainbow eucalyptus, which is known for its bright, striped bark. The rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is native to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. As the tree matures, the bark begins to peel away in patches, revealing inner bark that is vibrant colors of green, red, orange, gray, and blue.
The coloring comes from the different ages of bark on the tree. Older bark peels away to reveal the newer, brighter bark underneath. The peeling process creates a lovely patchwork effect on the trunk that looks like painted stripes wrapping around the tree. No two rainbow eucalyptus trees have bark colored exactly the same.
In addition to its unique trunk, the rainbow eucalyptus has slender leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long. The elongated, drooping foliage combined with the bright trunk make this a striking landscape tree. Rainbow eucalyptus can grow over 200 feet tall in its native habitat. But when planted outside its natural range, it tops out between 50-100 feet tall.
Trident Maple
Another tree grown for its exfoliating, multicolored bark is the trident maple (Acer buergerianum). This small, ornamental tree has bark that peels back in patches of gray, green, orange, and brown.
Trident maple is commonly grown as a bonsai specimen because it readily forms a nicely shaped miniature tree. It also makes an excellent landscape tree, growing 20-25 feet tall and wide. The leaves are three-lobed and bright green in spring and summer before turning orange and red in fall.
The peeling bark on trident maple creates a mottled, mosaic effect on the trunk that provides year-round interest. It performs best in zones 5-9 and likes full to part sun. Ensure trident maple gets occasional deep waterings as it can be prone to drought stress.
Paperbark Maple
Another member of the maple family that has paper-thin bark in rich colors is the paperbark maple (Acer griseum). Native to central China, the exfoliating copper-brown bark peels off in papery sheets to reveal new, cinnamon-red inner bark below.
This slow-growing deciduous tree matures at about 20-30 feet tall. The foliage of trifoliate leaves turns brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. Beyond its peeling colorful trunk, paperbark maple is also prized for its reddish-brown branch structure that adds winter interest.
Paperbark maple performs best in partly shady sites and may scorch or struggle in hot, dry conditions. Make sure it receives regular watering. Zones 5-8 are recommended for this specimen.
Jacaranda
Many people are familiar with the jacaranda tree when it erupts into waves of bright purple blooms in spring. But the jacaranda’s greenish bark also turns grey and peels away in irregular patches, creating a subtle multicolored look.
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is an attractive, fast-growing subtropical tree that thrives in zones 9-11. It grows up to 50 feet tall and nearly as wide, making it an excellent shade tree. The fern-like, bipinnate leaves provide dappled shade and make a lovely backdrop for the colorful blooms.
While jacaranda is best known for its flowers, take time to appreciate its mottled, peeling trunk as well. The bark continually sheds to reveal an array of grey, green, tan, and pale orange tones. Prune lower branches to show off the trunk’s muscular, fluting pattern.
River Birch
River birch (Betula nigra) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to the Eastern United States. It’s prized for its curling, peeling bark that reveals shades of cinnamon, pink, beige, and orange.
Unlike many birches, river birch thrives in hot climates and grows 40-70 feet tall. Its native habitat along river banks gives clues to its cultural needs – provide consistent moisture and well-draining soil for best growth. It performs well in zones 4-9.
The river birch canopy spreads 40 feet wide or more at maturity. Thanks to its relatively fast growth rate, you don’t have to wait long to enjoy the interesting color patterns in its exfoliating bark. This tree makes a great shade tree for parks and large landscapes.
Crepe Myrtle
Known for its colorful summer blooms, crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) also provides year-round interest with its patchy, peeling bark in hues of cinnamon, gray, orange, green, and brown.
Most crepe myrtle varieties grow 10-25 feet tall in zones 7-9. The Muskogee and Natchez cultivars are two with especially showy mottled trunks. Provide full sun and prune annually to encourage the best flower displays.
As crepe myrtle bark exfoliates each year, it reveals an attractive mix of colors and textures. The trunk’s modeling and multicolored patches appear sculpted. Crepe myrtle appreciates summer irrigation in dry climates but is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is yet another tree grown for its decorative, patchy bark. Native to China and popular in the southern U.S., this ornamental tree blooms in summer with frilly flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white.
Mature crape myrtles reach 15-30 feet tall with an equal spread. The peeling bark reveals colors of gray, orange, brown, and green that give the trunk a camouflage effect. interesting modeling that looks almost like muscle or sinew.
Provide full sun and good drainage for optimal growth. Prune crape myrtle in late winter to remove any dead wood and encourage abundant summer blooms. Though very versatile, it performs best in zones 7-9. Appreciate both the summertime flowers and the exfoliating, multicolored bark of this specimen.
Loquat
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an evergreen fruiting tree native to southeastern China. In addition to its tasty apricot-like fruit, loquat is grown for its bold foliage and attractive bark.
Loquat bark has a rumpled, knobby texture and peels back in irregular patches. Shades of cinnamon, tan, olive green, and orange-brown are revealed as older bark exfoliates. Provide loquat trees with full sun to part shade and moderate water in zones 8-10.
This ornamental tree reaches up to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity. The large, coarse leaves provide dense shade beneath the canopy. Loquat’s textured trunk and contrasting colors in the peeling bark add visual interest.
London Planetree
London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) is a large, deciduous hybrid tree renowned for its peeling, colorful bark. It grows well over 100 feet tall and can spread almost as wide.
This tree’s hallmark patchy bark in olive, gray, brown and creamy white resembles camouflage patterning. London planetree performs best in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Provide occasional deep watering during warm months.
Thanks to its massive size and spreading canopy, London planetree is an excellent shade tree for large landscapes. Its height also shows off the intriguing bark patterns. Look for the Hybrida variety if you want a mid-sized option under 50 feet tall.
Chinese Pistache
Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree valued for its fall color display and multicolored bark.
This ornamental specimen grows 30-60 feet tall and spreads 40 feet wide. The pinnately compound leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn before falling to reveal the patchy, exfoliating bark.
Chinese pistache trunks twist and curve gracefully as they mature, showcasing a mosaic of gray, brown, green and orange bark colors. Providing full sun and well-drained soil encourages the best growth. It adapts to many soil conditions and performs well in zones 6-9.
Ponderosa Pine
When it comes to conifers with colorful bark, one of the best is ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). This western native pine shows off a mix of gray, black and orange-brown bark in broad puzzle-piece plates.
Ponderosa pines grow 50-100 feet tall in an erect, open habit. Needles are long, dark green, and grouped in bundles of three. Provide full sun and well-drained soil for best development. Ponderosa pine thrives in zones 3-7 with extreme drought tolerance.
As the bark exfoliates with age, it reveals a range of warm reddish-browns and black furrows. The bark plates grow thicker as the tree matures, becoming quite rugged and craggy on old trees. Ponderosa pine bark has a wonderful vanilla scent when injured.
Lacebark Pine
Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) earns its name from the unique pattern of bark exfoliation that reveals underlying shades of gray, olive green, and tan.
Native to China, lacebark pine grows 40-60 feet tall in an upright oval habit. Its tall, thinly layered bark peels back in irregular patches to create a distinctive mottled look. Forming an open, airy canopy, its slender leaves grow to 4 inches long.
Providing full sun and well-drained soil promotes the best growth for lacebark pine. It adapts readily to many sites and performs well in zones 5-8. Allow it sufficient space to display its intriguing trunk patterns.
Paperbark Cherry
Paperback cherry (Prunus serrula) features a unique cinnamon-colored trunk that peels away in paper-thin sheets. This ornamental deciduous tree grows 20-40 feet tall and spreads 15 feet wide.
Native to China and Tibet, paperbark cherry performs best in full sun to part shade with regular irrigation. It adapts readily to many conditions and is cold hardy from zones 5-8. Provide sheltered sites to help protect it from wind damage.
The cinnamon-red bark with curving stripes is eye-catching all year long. In spring, paperbark cherry bears small white flower clusters followed by tiny, inedible fruits. The oval green leaves turn shades of orange and red in fall.
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii, commonly called Himalayan white birch, is prized for its white bark that peels away in paper-thin layers. This medium-sized birch tree grows 40 to 50 feet tall with an oval to pyramidal habit.
Native to the Himalayas, Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is hardy in zones 4-7. It needs full sun and consistent moisture for best growth. The white bark sheds to reveal new salmon-pink inner bark, providing year-round interest.
The leaves of this birch variety are oval, dark green, and have a pointed tip. In fall, they turn yellow before falling. Once established, Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is fairly drought tolerant and trouble free.
Arctic birch
Arctic birch (Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’) is a coveted landscape tree prized for its brilliant white bark that peels and exfoliates to reveal darker inner bark. This fast-growing birch reaches 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Also known as Swedish white birch, it needs full sun exposure and evenly moist soil. Avoid letting it dry out. Arctic birch is hardy in zones 2-6. Its oval green leaves turn golden yellow in fall.
The pronounced white bark is brighter and whiter than many other birch varieties. As it peels back in strips, it provides great winter interest. Partner arctic birch with evergreens or darker trees to make its white trunk stand out.
Canoe Birch
Canoe birch (Betula papyrifera) is a fast-growing, large birch native to northern North America. Also called paper birch, this tree grows 50-70 feet tall and can spread 35 feet wide.
Canoe birch is named for its use by Native Americans for making canoes, wigwam covers, scrolls, and birch bark boxes. The bark peels off in paper-like layers to reveal orange-brown inner bark that looks like curly waves.
This birch needs full sun and acidic soil with good drainage. Avoid letting the roots sit in wet soil. Canoe birch performs best in cool climates in zones 1-6.
Paper Birch
Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is a fast-growing North American native birch prized for its stunning white bark. It gets its common name from the paper-thin white bark that peels off in sheets.
This medium-large deciduous tree reaches 50-70 feet tall and 35 feet wide. The oval green leaves turn bright golden yellow in autumn. Provide full sun exposure and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
Paper birch is cold hardy from zones 1-6 but may struggle with heat and humidity. It has an oval-pyramidal habit with strongly ascending branches when young, maturing to a more rounded shape.
The exfoliating bark reveals striking orange-brown under-bark in wavy curls. Broken twigs have a slight wintergreen scent. Paper birch is popular as an ornamental and shade tree in landscapes and parks.
European White Birch
European white birch (Betula pendula) is loved for its distinctive white bark and graceful, weeping branches. This fast-growing deciduous tree reaches 40-50 feet tall and forms an oval-shaped canopy.
Also known as silver birch, it thrives in cool climates and is cold hardy in zones 2-6. European white birch needs full sun and slightly acidic soil. Avoid letting it dry out.
The main draw of this ornamental birch is its showy white bark that peels back to reveal inner orange-brown bark. The triangular green leaves turn yellow in fall before dropping.
With its oval-pyramidal form, pendulous branching, and luminous white trunk, European white birch makes a beautiful landscape focal point. Plant it where the graceful form of its branches can shine.
Katsura Tree
Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is admired for its graceful shape, heart-shaped leaves, and bark that peels to reveal a mosaic of colors including green, orange, and pink.
Native to China and Japan, katsura tree grows 40-60 feet tall in an upright oval shape. Provide part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil. Katsura performs best in zones 4-8.
The foliage emerges reddish-purple, changing to blue-green in summer before turning apricot-orange in fall. Its exfoliating, patchy bark in warm hues adds year-round interest.
Katsura tree has an elegant habit with multi-season appeal. Use it as a specimen in Asian-style gardens or allow it to stand alone where its beautiful form can spread.
Zelkova
Zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a deciduous tree related to elm and native to Eastern Asia. It is prized for its graceful vase-shaped habit, attractive bark, and resistance to Dutch elm disease.
This ornamental tree grows fast to 50-80 feet tall and nearly as wide. The bark exfoliates in irregular patches, revealing orange-brown, gray, olive and cinnamon-red inner bark. Provide full sun and moderate watering.
Zelkova appreciates rich, moist soil but adapts to most conditions. It’s hardy in zones 5-8
